Working out of my home as I do, I was initially hesitant to list ctzdesign as a business in directories like Google Places. That put me at a disadvantage when it came to search placement, but that was a sacrifice I was willing to make to maintain a modicum of privacy.
Thankfully, it is now possible to list home-based businesses on Google Places and Bing’s local directory without making the street address public. My colleage Jon Loomer – who also runs a business out of his home – explains:
If you have a brick and mortar business, chances are that you already have a Place on Google and Bing. You’ll just need to claim the place so that you can take control of it. But individual consultants who don’t take the opportunity will be left in the dust. There’s little reason for those places to be created if the owner is left in ignorance.